The Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission is drawing
criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, who have expressed
concerns over how proposed borders for the state’s legislative
districts have been redrawn.

In a 4-1 vote on Oct. 10, the commission adopted a draft
legislative-district map. The draft is the result of collaboration
between commissioners Scott Freeman, a Republican from Maricopa
County, and Linda McNulty, a Democrat out of Pima County.

“They both rose to the occasion in a huge way,” said AIRC
Chairwoman Colleen Mathis. “Now people have something they can
evaluate.”

Arizonans will now have the opportunity to comment on the map,
which proposes how the state’s 30 legislative district boundaries
should be drawn moving forward.

The commission is hosting a 30-day comment period with meetings
scheduled across the state, including a Tucson meeting on Monday,
Oct. 24. The meeting will be held in the North Ballroom of the
University of Arizona Student Union Memorial Center, 1303 E.
University Blvd.

Another public meeting will be held in the Town of Marana on
Friday, Nov. 4, starting at 6 p.m. at the Marana Municipal Complex
auditorium, 11555 W. Civic Center Drive.

District 26 Rep. Vic Williams said he’s not happy with how the
commission worked to create the district map, questioning the
ethics and politics that went into the process.

“What was supposed to be a process of policing our political map
has failed,” he said. “At one time you had the state’s legislature
making these decisions, and we are held accountable by voters. Now,
you have given all the power to this one commission who is
accountable to no one. It is obvious that the woman (Mathis) has a
Democratic agenda.”

District 26 Senator Al Melvin agreed with Williams that the 90
lawmakers elected to state office should have led efforts to redraw
district boundaries instead of an independent commission comprised
of two Democrats, two Republicans and one independent.

Williams said he encourages residents to attend as many public
hearings over the next month as possible to voice concerns over how
the map was drawn, and how it will impact their lives in the
future.

One concern being voiced by Republicans is how the district lines
were drawn, pinning many of the state’s incumbents against each
other. In District 30, Tucson Senator Frank Antenori could be going
up against fellow District 25 Senator Gail Griffin, a Republican
from Sierra Vista.

If the districts remain the way the commission is currently drawn,
several current lawmakers will be out of a job after the 2012
elections.

The most prominent change comes in the district east of Mesa where
Senate President Russell Pearce holds office in the largely
Republican district. With the altered district boundaries, Pearce
would face GOP Senator Rich Crandall in the next election.

In District 26, Melvin said he is pleased with how the boundary
lines have been drawn.

Williams said in the end, neither party will really win any
battles, while noting he felt the real losers are the
citizens.

“At the end of the day as an elected official I will deal with the
hand that is dealt to me,” said Williams, who recently formed an
exploratory committee to consider running for the Pima County Board
of Supervisors in 2012.

Democrats are also affected. The map puts three Democratic House
members in Phoenix into a potential primary race with Minority
Leader Chad Campbell and Reps. Lela Alston and Katie Hobbs.

In Tucson, three Democratic House members are in District 2: Matt
Heinz, Daniel Patterson and Macario Saldate.

In a press release dated Oct. 10, Luis Heredia, executive director
of the Democratic Party, expressed dismay that the legislative
district draft map seems to include only four competitive
districts, out of the 30 possible districts.

“The legislative draft map adopted by the Arizona Independent
Redistricting Commission lacks competitive districts and is a giant
step backward, as drawn. Without more competition, extremists will
continue to get elected and will discourage independent voters from
having any say in Arizona’s future.

“Voters want competition, but politicians want the status quo,” he
continued. “We call on this commission to side with voters instead
of politicians. After all, it’s the voters who will be stuck with
the consequences for the next 10 years. During the 30-day public
comment period, we strongly urge citizens to make their voices
heard and tell this commission that competition is good for
Arizona.”

Gov. Jan Brewer also released a statement, saying that the
districts have been drawn largely to favor Democrats.

At the congressional level, Senators Jon Kyle and John McCain also
expressed concerns over how the lines have been drawn.

At the local level, Josh Wright, Marana’s director of strategic
initiatives, said the Marana Town Council has some concerns over
how the federal district lines have been drawn. He noted the
council has not had the opportunity to discuss the map for the
state’s legislative boundary proposals.

Wright said the only concern with the federal boundaries is the
Town of Marana falls under two separate districts, and the town
council would rather the entire town be placed under the direction
of one congressional district.

The independent commission oversees how the new district boundaries
are drawn based on an voter initiative approved in 2000.

Proposition 106 amends the Arizona Constitution to create a
five-member commission to redraw congressional and legislative
boundaries. Previously, the State Legislature was responsible for
redrawing the lines.

Melvin said he wouldn’t be surprised if the GOP leads an effort to
put the issue back on the ballot in the 2012 elections to put the
power back in the and of state lawmakers.

The commission, which was appointed following the 2010 Census, has
come under fire in recent months with Republicans accusing the
Democrats on the board of violating open meeting laws.

Attorney General Tom Horne looked into the accusations, but the
Democrats on the board refused to answer questions. Horne recently
filed a petition with the court to require the board members to
answer questions.

Members of the commission have filed a separate petition with the
court, stating Horne has no authority in the matter.

Meetings

Monday, Oct. 24

City of Tucson – University of Arizona Student Union Memorial
Center, North Ballroom, 1303 E. University Blvd.